Apprenticeship Myth-Busting

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1 L I N K E D L E A R N I N G C O N V E N T I O N A N A H E I M, C A F E B Apprenticeship Myth-Busting Marjorie D. Cohen Senior College and Career Readiness Specialist American Institutes for Research

2 COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS & SUCCESS CENTER Who? What? How? Why? State education agencies (SEAs) Build SEA capacity to implement collegeand career-readiness policies Provide technical assistance, including targeted and intensive support Support SEAs to plan for and implement the Every Student Succeeds Act 2

3 Apprenticeship: Definitions and Level-Setting

4 APPRENTICESHIP DEFINITIONS Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Essential Criteria Paid, on-the-job learning under supervision of skilled employees Related classroom instruction Ongoing assessment against skills standard Culmination in a portable, industry-recognized credential Gold standard of work-based learning (WBL) Set apart from other WBL by role of employers New America: Youth Apprenticeship in America Today

5 APPRENTICESHIP DEFINITIONS Pre-apprenticeship: program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in RA Youth Apprenticeship No single definition Program meets same criteria as RA, but designed specifically for high school students Typically functions as partnership across employers, high schools, and postsecondary institutions New America: Youth Apprenticeship in America Today; Department of Labor (DOL): Apprenticeship Overview

6 WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS? Average hourly wage: $15 Average hourly wage after apprenticeship: $24.77 ($51,522 annually) Eligible starting age: 16 or 18 Average age of apprentices: 30 Average employer s return on investment (ROI): $1.45 for every $1 spent Apprenticeship occupations: 1,000 DOL: Apprenticeship Overview

7 WHY (YOUTH) APPRENTICESHIPS? Proven educational model connecting on-the-job learning with classroom learning Learn and earn model benefits for students: Years of work experience Free college credit Portable industry credential Earn stipend or wage New America: Youth Apprenticeship in America Today

8 Apprenticeship Myths

9 APPRENTICESHIP MYTHS: TABLE ACTIVITY Directions: Take 1 2 minutes to write down any questions you have or have been asked about apprenticeship Designate a recorder and reporter at your table Share question lists with the table Choose two questions from your table s lists you think are the most commonly asked Report out

10 APPRENTICESHIP MYTHS 1. Businesses can t employ anyone under 18 (legal and liability issues) 2. Employers see no benefit to them to employ and train high school students 3. Apprenticeships are only for those* students 4. Apprenticeships are for union-related occupations, such as construction and building trades *those = students of color, low-income students, students not going to college

11 MYTH #1: LEGAL AND LIABILITIES Legal Questions: Child Labor Laws Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): list of 17 hazardous occupations for youth under 18 Educational value of work experiences OSHA generally does not distinguish between youth and adult employees Liability Questions Liability coverage can be provided by employers, schools/districts, intermediaries Advance CTE: Connecting the Classroom to Careers

12 MYTH #2: EMPLOYER BENEFIT Helps recruit and develop highly skilled workforce Improves productivity and bottom line Provides opportunities for tax credits and employee tuition benefits in some states Reduces turnover costs and increases employee retention Creates industry-driven and flexible training solutions to meet national and local needs US DOL: Apprenticeship Overview

13 MYTH #3: ONLY SOME STUDENTS College and Career Readiness Academic Skills (reading, writing, math, science Technical Skills (career or industry skills) Academic Skills (reading, writing, math, science) Career or Industry Specialization Employability Skills (transferable skills)

14 MYTH #3: ONLY SOME STUDENTS Brings together industry-recognized credentials, contextualizing coursework, high-quality WBL Attaining industry-recognized credentials: improves wages Contextualized career-focused coursework: enhances longer-run earnings potential and academic achievement High-quality WBL: Builds critical employability skills; increases GPA & school attendance

15 MYTH #4: ONLY SOME OCCUPATIONS Apprentice-able occupations in multiple industries Advance Manufacturing Construction Energy Finance & Business Healthcare Hospitality Information Technology Telecommunications Transportation Traditional occupations: automotive tech, baker, bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, machinist, roofer, tool and die maker Newer occupations: computer programmer, dental assistant, environmental analyst, firefighter, insurance claims adjuster, lab tech US DOL

16 Selected Resources

17 SELECTED RESOURCES CCRS Center: State Work-Based Learning Initiative US Dept of Ed: Opportunities for Connecting Secondary CTE Students and Apprenticeship Programs New America: Youth Apprenticeship in America Today US Dept of Labor: Apprenticeship Overview Advance CTE: Connecting the Classroom to Careers: Removing Legal Barriers Around Work-Based Learning Jobs for the Future: Not as Hard as You Think: Engaging High School Students in Work-Based Learning

18 L I N K E D L E A R N I N G C O N V E N T I O N A N A H E I M, C A F E B Contact Information Marjorie D. Cohen Senior College and Career Readiness Specialist mdcohen@air.org Phone: College and Career Readiness and Success Center ccrscenter@air.org Linkedlearning.org

19 L I N K E D L E A R N I N G C O N V E N T I O N A N A H E I M, C A F E B Thank you! Linkedlearning.org